Tim Kelly sizzled against his former club but it was Nic Naitanui who shone the brightest to help West Coast post a nine-point comeback victory against Geelong at Optus Stadium.
The Eagles trailed by 21 points early in the third quarter of Saturday night’s match but booted five of the final six goals to secure the 11.7 (73) to 10.4 (64) win in front of 26,211 fans.
Spearhead Josh Kennedy booted two vital goals in the pulsating final quarter to finish with four for the match, while Kelly tallied 23 disposals and five clearances in his first match against the Cats since leaving at the end of last year.
Dom Sheed was also exceptional with two goals and six clearances from his 24 disposals.
But it was Naitanui who had the biggest influence on the match, despite tallying just nine disposals and failing to take a mark.
A significant portion of Naitanui’s 34 hitouts fell in the lap of his midfield troops, leading to several crucial goals.
His bullocking work at ground level was also vital in helping turn the midfield battle West Coast’s way in the second half.
Star Geelong midfielder Patrick Dangerfield tallied seven clearances and a goal from 18 disposals, while Mitch Duncan, Tom Stewart and Cam Guthrie picked up plenty of possessions.
The result moves West Coast into fourth spot with a 6-3 record, while Geelong (5-4) are sixth.
West Coast booted the first goal of the match within 12 seconds courtesy of a great ruck tap from Naitanui and a mark from Kennedy in the square.
Geelong won the inside 50m count 11-6 to take a six-point lead into the first break, but they deserved more for their dominance.
West Coast had 13 players in the first term who had one possession or less, with Geelong starving them of their usual kick-mark game.
The Cats threatened to break away in the second term as the lead grew to 22 points, but a late goal to Sheed ensured the damage wasn’t too great.
Geelong were forced to defend grimly for long periods of the second half as West Coast launched wave after wave of attack.
The Cats were clinging to a two-point lead early in the final quarter when the goal review system took centre stage.
Geelong’s Sam Simpson celebrated a goal despite his kick coming off his knee.
Replays were inconclusive as to whether the ball touched his boot after coming off his knee, meaning the goal umpire’s original decision of a goal stood.
A centimetre-perfect Naitanui ruck tap a short time later helped Kennedy score his third goal, and the Eagles were in front when Jack Darling kicked truly at the 12-minute mark.
The next 10 minutes was full of frenzied excitement as players from both sides threw everything at the contest.
The sealer didn’t come until the final minute, when Kennedy kicked his fourth.
